SIGN UP FOR SMART STATE ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIPS
Published Friday, 29 September, 2006 at 02:50 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Premier Peter Beattie has announced the next round of Smart State Engineering Scholarships are now open.
These Smart State Scholarships were launched as part of the Government’s Engineer your future initiative early this year to attract young Queenslanders to take up a career in engineering.
“We are again partnering industry, universities and various areas of government to develop the scholarships program and promote engineering to students,” Mr Beattie said.
“We received more than 400 applications for the 12 Smart State Engineering Scholarships available in the inaugural round, and I expect the awards to be even more sought this time.
“There is also time for sponsors to get involved in the program and support our future engineers.”
To apply for the Smart State Engineering Scholarships, go to www.qld.gov.au/engineer.
The website has application information, links to industry organisations and universities, and stories from students and graduates.
Mr Beattie said the Engineer your future initiative was a response to industry demand for more skilled professionals.
“We need more skilled engineers in the workforce to build infrastructure which is worth more than $66 billion in South East Queensland alone over the next 20 years,” he said.
“Along with building the Water Grid to drought-proof the South-East, our regions are going to need hospitals, schools, roads, railways and ports to support our future population.
“We cannot do any of this without engineers.”
Engineers Australia Queensland Division strongly supports the Engineer your future initiative.
“The development and maintenance of infrastructure across Queensland has led to an ongoing demand for engineering services in the disciplines of civil, electrical, environmental and mining engineering,” Division President Richard Morgan said.
“These demands require short and long-term solutions based on cooperation across industry.
“I commend the Government for addressing these areas of need and providing leadership in their solution.”
Recipients of the 2006 Smart State Engineering Scholarships are delighted with their choice of study.
Katrina Bukauskas (Windsor, formerly Townsville), who is studying engineering at the Queensland University of Technology, said she can see as her course progresses that she has made the right choice.
“There is so much hype in the industry to produce young talented and innovative engineers, as well as a shortage of graduates, so the opportunities are almost endless,” she said.
“Most of the third and fourth-year civil students that I know have already taken part in industry experience and are either working part-time with a company or have a job set up for when they finish.”
Also at QUT Nick Pappas (West End) knew he always wanted to be involved in creating something new and innovative.
“Engineering is a great path for those who want to be a part of creating something to expand technologies and infrastructure,” he said.
“If you want to push your limits or thinking, and test your determination, engineering is perfect for you.
“Just get out there and jump into it. The only true failure is failing to try. Engineers are the future.”
/ends
September 29, 2006
Media Contacts:
Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Rohan Exton, Engineers Australia Queensland Division, 3503 5700, 0402 483 730
Katrina Bukauskas, 0417 351 143, Katrina.bukauskas@gmail.com
Nicholas Pappas, 3411 5552, 0414 613 125, niko_pappas@yahoo.com.au
These Smart State Scholarships were launched as part of the Government’s Engineer your future initiative early this year to attract young Queenslanders to take up a career in engineering.
“We are again partnering industry, universities and various areas of government to develop the scholarships program and promote engineering to students,” Mr Beattie said.
“We received more than 400 applications for the 12 Smart State Engineering Scholarships available in the inaugural round, and I expect the awards to be even more sought this time.
“There is also time for sponsors to get involved in the program and support our future engineers.”
To apply for the Smart State Engineering Scholarships, go to www.qld.gov.au/engineer.
The website has application information, links to industry organisations and universities, and stories from students and graduates.
Mr Beattie said the Engineer your future initiative was a response to industry demand for more skilled professionals.
“We need more skilled engineers in the workforce to build infrastructure which is worth more than $66 billion in South East Queensland alone over the next 20 years,” he said.
“Along with building the Water Grid to drought-proof the South-East, our regions are going to need hospitals, schools, roads, railways and ports to support our future population.
“We cannot do any of this without engineers.”
Engineers Australia Queensland Division strongly supports the Engineer your future initiative.
“The development and maintenance of infrastructure across Queensland has led to an ongoing demand for engineering services in the disciplines of civil, electrical, environmental and mining engineering,” Division President Richard Morgan said.
“These demands require short and long-term solutions based on cooperation across industry.
“I commend the Government for addressing these areas of need and providing leadership in their solution.”
Recipients of the 2006 Smart State Engineering Scholarships are delighted with their choice of study.
Katrina Bukauskas (Windsor, formerly Townsville), who is studying engineering at the Queensland University of Technology, said she can see as her course progresses that she has made the right choice.
“There is so much hype in the industry to produce young talented and innovative engineers, as well as a shortage of graduates, so the opportunities are almost endless,” she said.
“Most of the third and fourth-year civil students that I know have already taken part in industry experience and are either working part-time with a company or have a job set up for when they finish.”
Also at QUT Nick Pappas (West End) knew he always wanted to be involved in creating something new and innovative.
“Engineering is a great path for those who want to be a part of creating something to expand technologies and infrastructure,” he said.
“If you want to push your limits or thinking, and test your determination, engineering is perfect for you.
“Just get out there and jump into it. The only true failure is failing to try. Engineers are the future.”
/ends
September 29, 2006
Media Contacts:
Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Rohan Exton, Engineers Australia Queensland Division, 3503 5700, 0402 483 730
Katrina Bukauskas, 0417 351 143, Katrina.bukauskas@gmail.com
Nicholas Pappas, 3411 5552, 0414 613 125, niko_pappas@yahoo.com.au